In 1967, Lyle Gatley was challenged by a friend: if he could survive two months’ rigorous training, he bet, Gatley could become an Olympic contender in the sport of rowing. At six foot five, he perhaps had the right stature, but was nonetheless a complete novice when it came to the sport.Nevertheless, he accepted his friend’s dare and joined the University of British Columbia’s rowing program.Gatley not only managed to survive these first two months but—astonishingly—very quickly d...